March 12, 2011
Well, the last day in China has arrived. We have traveled to the airport. We crossed one of the longest multi-level suspension bridges in the world to get to the airport. Andy, our guide, told us that this was twofold: one was to accommodate peak traffic as the cars and trucks could drive on the top while the trains have dedicated tracks on the lower level; two, monsoons. During a monsoon service and traffic can continue sheltered on the lower level. Andy spoke favorably about the monsoons saying they only came to kiss Hong Kong on the way to the mainland. He added that most of the problems from Monsoons, flooding and storm damage, are the worst only on the mainland. Now, Dr. Vogul did say he has seen a monsoon dump an inch of rain per hour for three days straight!
Just out of curiosity I looked up an estimated carbon “footprint” for our flight back to Charlotte using a calculator at: http://www.terrapass.com/carbon-footprint-calculator/. From Hong Kong to Newark (NJ) generated an estimated 2165 lbs of CO2, while Newark to Charlotte generated 275 lbs of CO2. This does not mean we should not fly but instead think of the “true cost” in terms other than just our airfare cost. [BTW according to another calculator, http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx, driving from Newark to Charlotte in my 97 Honda Civic would generate about 400 lbs of CO2].
Trip to airport. HK airport to Newark, then to Charlotte.
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